English Explanatory Dictionary

slum

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A dilapidated neighborhood where many people live in a state of poverty.
  2. Inexpensive trinkets awarded as prizes in a carnival game.
verb
  1. To visit a neighborhood of a status below one's own.
  2. To saunter about in a disreputable manner.
noun
  1. Slumgullion; a meat-based stew.
noun
  1. Nonsense; humbug.

Pronunciation

/slʌm/ en-us-slum.ogg

Word forms

slum slums slumming slummed

Etymology

First attested in 1812. Originally slang, in the sense "room", especially "backroom", of unknown origin.

Synonyms

barrio bad part of town estate favela ghetto Hell's Kitchen jects projects scheme shantytown sink estate slum

Related words

inner city urban blight

Derived words

backslum Slumbai Slumbay slumburb slumdog slumdom slum dweller slumdweller slumhood slumification slummification slumism slummism slumlady slumland slumlike slumlord slummy slumness slum-ridden slumridden slumward slummer slum it slum cannon slum gun
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